WJC Bronze Medal GDT: Finland vs. USA

[Randall Graves*]

I think Schremp really fit his MO. He had some individual flash and dash, and showed how rediculously talented he is, but I don't think he showed how he could make his team better.

Saying that, credit Schremp to his skating, his skating looks a lot better. He's alot more coordinated and stronger on his edges, which will be a huge bonus that most prospects don't have (and even some NHL players don't have) but the biggest question for me is, and has alwayas been, what can he do for a TEAM? Yes he did it with a stacked London team, but I'd like to see what he can do when he is "the man" and asked to lead his team.

I don't think Schremp is the type of player that can 'be the man' but can be an excellent complimentary player. He'll be playing with some talented players in Edmonton.

I think next year, the U.S selection committee needs less chiefs and more Indians.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Good game, hard and intense. A sense of wanting to be in the game that Finland didn't really have in earlier games.

They checked and tackled far more, passing and shooting straight at defenders was still a problem though, but they weren't intimidated by their opponents forwards and managed to keep them out of the scoring area quite regurlarly and quite well. Hat's off to the D, 30 minutes a man for them.

Tukonen was excellent, looked like he was one of the best in the world at this level right now. Which was very good to see. Korpikoski was always dangerous, and the two ignited Joensuu. Speaking of him, Aravirta shoulda done this first line ages ago. Jesse Joensuu was a different man today, he was big, hard to stop, always there where the action was and came out with two goals to his name, thoguh one was pure luck and one was poor goaltending. But thats how you get goals so often.

Had he played the whole tournament like that everyone would be talking about him as a top 3-5 pick again. Now the question is what impression does 1 game do? Hopefully Ässät noticed that, and try JJ on a scoring line and just keep at it till he opens up and starts playign with size and confidence like he did last night.

Rask was good, he gave his team a chance to win and although beatable it did have many incredible saves.

Some dirtyness by the Americans, particurlarly the boarding on Korhonen *ugh* and Mueller's stunt. Next time round we need to select and dress a goon for these tournaments, I'm sure that if they did that in the NHL theyd have a goon come after them. Anyone know if Patrick Losted has a kid brother?

 

[King'sPawn]

Wait, Tukonen didn't get an assist on Sailio's goal? What's that?

Was it Tukonen's pass that went right to Sailio (I obviously didn't see it). If that assist would have counted, Tukonen would have tied Kessel for the lead in points.

Thanks to those who gave positive feedback on Tukonen, too. It's too bad a pissing contest had to get in the middle of what was a very informative thread.

 

[Humppaknight]

Thank you Finland, Thank you!

Suomi Finland perkele!

Once again we beat big bad and ugly opponent.

 

[Matti_A]

Today I'm proud to be a finn!

Wow, what an effort by our finnish lions throughout the tournament.

We once again showed the qualities we are known for, that is: playig as a team, showing lots of heart and of course great goaltending.

Before this tournament I thought we would end up in 6th place, maybe 5th with a real good effort, but not in my wildest dreams could I imagine a bronze medal.
A bronze medal is like a championship for a team of our caliber.
And that we won the medal with 4 defencemen and mustered 49 shots against the US of A. Impressive

In all honesty we didn't even deserve to be in the semis, but one individual singlehandedly robbed the poor swedes. All the credit for this medal goes to Tuukka Rask for giving the finns a chance to win in the important games.

He's a good example of how far great goaltending alone can take a team.
And he also proves that a goalie is more than half the team.

The rest of the also improved game after game in this tournament imho.
Tukonen, Korpikoski and Komarov were the positive surprises this year.
Not to mention Rask...

 

[An Ape called Yoko]

Congratulations to the bronze!

Tuuka Rask

 

[Panopticon]

Was it Tukonen's pass that went right to Sailio (I obviously didn't see it). If that assist would have counted, Tukonen would have tied Kessel for the lead in points.

I thought that Sailio passed to Tukonen who passed back and then Sailio took the shot and hit his own rebound in. It looked like that to me, I'm not sure though.

I'm sure that if they did that in the NHL theyd have a goon come after them. Anyone know if Patrick Losted has a kid brother?

Heh, I've noticed lately that Lostedt has been having trouble to get anyone to fight with him. I was so sure he would've gotten Vopat last week, but even he didn't go for it.

I also noticed that Laakso was starting to heat up at the end of this game, especially after the Mueller stunt... I'm kinda glad he didn't do anything stupid, but a small part of me secretly wished that he would've kicked some American *** after that stunt.

I got such a kick out of it when Laakso beat that US kid's *** at the Viking Cup final (well, it was after the whistle, so basically it was after the final) in 2004. The US kid was 3 years older than him and started it, but Laakso had no trouble there.


(I think I made it clear that I'm not one of those "fights don't belong in hockey" type of guys)

 

[Finnpin]

Heh, I've noticed lately that Lostedt has been having trouble to get anyone to fight with him. I was so sure he would've gotten Vopat last week, but even he didn't go for it.

Vopat did right thing...why to drop gloves with a guy with one shift. Instead he scored and helped the team on ice. Why don't Lostedt ever try to pick up someone in the 3rd period. Wonder why

Well next tuesday again rivalry match. Jokerit has now a dude named Riku "Knuckles" Rahikainen. Maybe Lostedt will fight with his friend (former team mates). Riku is bigger and more experienced. Let's see.

Edit: And yeah nice game by the Lions

 

[TBJF]

Congrats to Finland!

As a U.S. fan, I'm more than a bit disappointed in the play of Team U.S.A., but that doesn't diminish my respect for the Finns' accomplishment.

As a fan, I always like to watch games where the team that works the hardest and seems to want the victory most comes out on top. It sure sounds like that's what happened, so hoist a beer or two and enjoy the medals.

 

[Spiral]

Guess what player had the most points for team USA after the Norway game?

Everyones favorite whipping boy, Bobby Ryan, despite mediocre ice time.

I am very disappointed in this team..not even winning a medal with this talent? what gives?

Yeah, I can't believe the stuff I've been reading here about Ryan. A lot of people knocked him off because they thought he didn't have a spectacular tournament, yet even with ridiculous limited ice time, Bobby was their leading scorer (after the Norway game). They screwed a couple of their top players, well I guess US got what they deserve.

Can't wait the day Ryan plays for the Ducks. Oh, and congrats to the Finns! Well deserve win!

 

[octopi]

Originally Posted by Rush5Collapse5
Don't get too big for your britches there Jr.
That's Finland you just knocked off, not Russia.
Calm down.

Originally posted after Canada's semi-final victory versus the Finns.
Karma is a funny thing.

I'm sorry my karma ran over your dogma?

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I think Schremp really fit his MO. He had some individual flash and dash, and showed how rediculously talented he is, but I don't think he showed how he could make his team better.

Saying that, credit Schremp to his skating, his skating looks a lot better. He's alot more coordinated and stronger on his edges, which will be a huge bonus that most prospects don't have (and even some NHL players don't have) but the biggest question for me is, and has alwayas been, what can he do for a TEAM? Yes he did it with a stacked London team, but I'd like to see what he can do when he is "the man" and asked to lead his team.

Thanks for your honest assesment. To be fair to Robbie, he wasn't asked to be "the man" with this team. That was Kessel's distinction. If Robbie would've been on the top PP unit with better players he would've had a much better tournament IMO. He will be a PP QB in the NHL there is no question in my mind, but he will need a faster player on his wings 5 on 5 to make him most effective. As for his skating, from last years WJC's to last years Memorial Cup, it was night and day IMO. If he keeps improving he could one day be at least an above average skater, and with his hockey sense and skills, that's scary!!!